32nd Annual meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society for
Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry
Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station,
3rd – 6th December 2015.
Announcing the Opening of Conference Registration & call for Abstracts.
Why come to the Fowlers Gap ANZSCPB meeting?
There is the excellence of an ANZSCPB meeting, with its focus on how
animals function and also interact with environments. This will be combined
with the spectacular ‘accessible outback’ of Australia. The arid landscapes of
Fowlers Gap feature rocky hills and open plains and its fauna and flora are
diverse and abundant; 4 species of kangaroo are common. It is the overlap zone
between two continental arid habitats, the temperate ‘saltbush’ shrublands and
the tropical grasslands. Additionally, the small size of the meeting allows
stimulating scientific and social interaction especially for students.
Conference costs have been minimised to facilitate student attendance.
Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station covers 40,000 ha of arid
rangeland in the far west of New South Wales. The property combines diverse
research and teaching activities under the umbrella of a functional sheep station.
This meeting marks 50 years since the University of New South Wales (UNSW)
took over the property as a Research Station. Administratively, the Research
Station lies within the School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
(BEES), at UNSW.
The Station is located 110 km north of the city of Broken Hill, a most
interesting city renown for its heritage value, its mines and art (try to spend
some time there). Fowlers Gap is almost 1200 km from Sydney and 1100 km
from Melbourne but is only 600 km from Adelaide. All access roads are sealed
highways except for 25 km of gravel road just south of Fowlers Gap. Detailed
general information about the Station can be seen on the web at
https://www.fowlersgap.unsw.edu.au.
The 9th October is the initial deadline for registration applications.
Late registration may be available ($200) until 30th October, if space allows.
The final deadline for acceptance of Abstracts is 9th October.
Fowlers Gap Climate
What are the likely climatic conditions for the meeting? Pleasant! In early
summer the days are generally warm to hot with cool nights and low humidity
(Max 30 – 35°C; min 15 – 21°C; RH 20 – 30%). High temperatures, 40+°C, are
unusual at this time, as are significant rainfall events. However, a primary feature
of Australian deserts is unpredictability! Note, most of the buildings at the
Station are air conditioned via evaporative cooling. A swimming pool is
available next to the conference area!
Accommodation.
Because of the remote location most, if not all, delegates will be accommodated
on site in buildings around the Station compound as listed below. This is mostly
as 2 single beds per room. Price reflects the level of facilities. No ensuites are
available. Students have priority in the Shearers Quarters and Dormitory.
No of People
Cost, person/night
Cottage 1
9
$50
Cottage 5
7
$50
Cottage 4
4
$40
Shearers Quarters
16
$35
Dormitory
16
$25
Green House
6
$30
Total
58
Note: Accommodation for accompanying persons is not initially guaranteed
due uncertainty of delegate demand. However, requests will be considered. Full
accommodation is available until Monday morning (breakfast). Extending your
stay to see more of Fowlers Gap and surrounding country will be possible but
only by prior arrangement.
Camping will be available near the Dormitory (if power is required) or on Creek
Flat for $15 per person per night. This is limited to ~10 people due to
pressure on ablution facilities.
Family accommodation is available at the Packsaddle Roadhouse, 40 minutes
north on the Silver City Highway – a good sealed road
(www.packsaddleroadhouse.com.au). If this option is selected catering
and use of facilities at Fowlers Gap must be included in your registration.
Catering: There are no shops or restaurants in the vicinity of the Station. All
meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner plus morning & afternoon tea/coffee)
will be provided for $67/day. Some drinks with dinner and pre dinner
nibbles will also be included. Further refreshments and drinks will be at
cost - bring cash. Vegetarian meals will be provided only if previously
requested on the registration form. Other special dietary needs have to be
negotiated in advance – the nearest shop is 220 km round trip!
Travel to Fowlers Gap
By CAR: is probably how most participants will travel, thus enabling some
exploring along the way. The region really contains lots to see. An
ordinary car is OK unless you want to explore station tracks. A ‘soft’ offroader will handle most roads and enable excursions around Broken Hill
and the district (unless it rains). 4WD tag-along tours of the Station are
planned.
By AIR: Regional Express Airlines (www.rex.com.au) (Ph: 13 17 13) have daily
flights from Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Mildura. Aircraft are not
large, ~28 seats, so to get the flight that you want at a reasonable cost
book early.
By TRAIN: A train service from Sydney to Broken Hill on the transcontinental line
only runs once a week, on Mondays, with the return service Broken Hill to
Sydney on Tuesdays. However, a daily train service from Sydney to Dubbo
continues by bus to Broken Hill (and vice versa) (www.countrylink.info)
or phone 13 22 32. These services provide a great transect from the
Pacific coast to the outback but take 14 hours and are a bit “heroic”.
Buses R Us: run coach service three times a week from Adelaide to Broken Hill
(www.busesrus.com.au)
Transport between Broken Hill and Fowlers Gap. If required we will arrange
pickups (Thursday afternoon) and returns (Monday morning) to and
from Broken Hill for the meeting. Cost is $50 each way. Given that the
round journey is 220 km, individual transport at other times should be
organised well in advance ($200 per vehicle trip). Hitching: We will
endeavour to match up people wanting lifts at irregular times with people
travelling through Broken Hill. Car rentals are a reasonable option for
groups. A full size 4WD Toyota Prado cost about $150/day – you must
book several weeks in advance.
Broken Hill Car Rental:
Avis,
Ph: 08 8082 5555
Hertz
Ph: 08 8087 2719
Thrifty
Ph: 08 8088 1928
Communications
Mobile phone coverage is poor, with only the Telstra network providing
sporadic reception. Fowlers Gap’s number is +61 8 8091 2511 (International)
and 08 8091 2511 (Interstate). Phone cards ($20) can be purchased at the
meeting and used on selected Station landline phones.
Initial contact: TJD. Email:- t.dawson@unsw.edu.au, mob:- 0405 045 703.
However, closer to the meeting a new mobile number (Telstra) will be advised.
Mail address: UNSW Arid Zone Research Station Fowlers Gap,
Silver City Hwy, via Broken Hill, NSW 2880 Australia.
PROGRAM
The broad structure of the meeting will be similar to that of other years.
However, given the unusual characteristics of the venue, adjustments will be
required. The need to “get out and look around” will be facilitated, probably by
later starting times for morning sessions. Special purpose areas, e.g. café/bar and
computing/WiFi zones will be provided
Arrival is acceptable from late morning Thursday 3rd (lunch will be
available if noted on registration form). Formal signing in will be from 4 pm –
Note! The Gap operates on Australian Central Time, as does Broken Hill. A
substantial welcome will follow as the day cools. Scientific Sessions will begin on
the morning of Friday 4th. Conclusion of sessions is envisaged for the afternoon
of Sunday 6th.
Daily Scientific Sessions will commence with plenary lectures. We
encourage participants to propose mini symposia consisting of about 5 talks,
possibly with a longer initial presentation. Usual presentations are to fit a 15
minute slot. A note for students, ‘speed talks’ of about 5 minutes are preferred
over posters but posters will be accepted. (Details for abstracts see below).
Social Program. Given our remote communal venue a distinct Conference
Dinner is not necessary. However, Saturday night will be more festive - bush
dancing is envisaged. Tours of the Station will occur using Station vehicles or
your own 4WDs. Travel in Station vehicles may incur a small charge. We are also
negotiating to visit an important nearby aboriginal rock-carving site. If this
eventuates a contribution (~$20/person) is required. Again, participants
requiring transport may be accommodated (~$30/person). Students will be free.
Registration Forms should be sent to Dr Keith Leggett
(k.leggett@unsw.edu.au) at Fowlers Gap. Delegates will then be invoiced for the
appropriate Fees. Registration will be completed when the University of NSW
receives payment. This is a little involved but necessary to ensure correct costing
and the matching of delegates with our facilities. If registrations numbers exceed
the maximum we can accommodate preference will be given to contributing
delegates.
Organising committee
Dr. Keith Leggett, Director, Fowlers Gap Research Station, UNSW.
Emeritus Prof. Terence J. Dawson, BEES, UNSW.
ABSTRACTS
Deadline for abstracts is 9th Oct 2015. It would, however, be nice to get them
earlier.
Please prepare your Abstract as a Word file All in Normal Text. Abstracts
should be in the usual format (use example below as a template) and have a title,
names and addresses of authors, and the text. Maximum word count is 300.
Please indicate if you wish to present a normal or a speed talk.
Abstracts should be clearly identified with the first author’s name and sent
as attachment to Dr. Koa Webster Email: koa.webster@mq.edu.au.
Oral Presentations should be in Microsoft PowerPoint. Mac and Windows
will be catered for. If delegates have worries about compatibility send a copy as
an email attachment to Dr Adam Munn at UOW (amunn@uow.edu.au) in advance
of leaving home.
Abstract Example
An overview of kangaroo locomotion: energetics and thermoregulation
Terence J. Dawson1
1School
of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South
Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Locomotion in kangaroos and their kin is bizarre in most aspects. Both slow and
fast gaits differ greatly from those perceived as normal in larger quadrupedal
mammals. These unusual characteristics also impact on their energetic and
thermoregulatory patterns during locomotion relative to those seen in similar
sized quadrupedal mammals. Probably the most distinct feature of kangaroo
locomotion is bipedal hopping, which is unique amongst large vertebrates.
Apparent benefits of hopping are the ability to travel relatively economically at
moderate speeds and to achieve comparatively high speeds. Such characteristics
can only have evolved in the face of cursorial predation. From where did this
predation come? The slow gait of the kangaroos is also unique. It involves the
use of the tail as a ‘fifth leg’, while hind legs are moved forward synchronously,
as are the fore legs, in sequence. Unexpectedly, the tail provides a significant
proportion of the forward propulsion, while the fore legs act largely only as
supportive struts. The kangaroo’s gaits determine its energy use during
locomotion but what are the corresponding thermoregulative responses that
allow such patterns of energy expenditure to be maintained? This will be
considered.
REGISTRATION FORM - ANZSCPB MEETING – 2015 - FOWLERS GAP, UNSW.
Surname
1st name
Title
Preferred name for badge
Organisation
Mail address
E-mail
Phone No
Office:
Mob:
Travel
Arrival date
Approx. times
Mode of travel
Travel to/from Broken Hill required
Details
Travel around Station required
Details
Accommodation
Building preference
Room share arranged?
Camping
Off site, e.g. Packsaddle
Details
Depart
Depart
Days
Yes/No
Yes/No
Note, accompanying persons require separate form
Name
Yes/No
Yes/No
Power required
Yes/No
Type
Speed
Special dietary requirements
Presentation
Meeting Costs
Registration
Catering
Accommodation
Travel
Yes/No
Normal
Poster
Estimate costs – an invoice will be sent when costs are finalised
Full rate $ 150
Student rate $100
Cost $
Days, (a dinner = 1 day)
$67 / day
Cost $
Days
See fees for individual buildings Cost $
To &/or from Broken Hill (see note below)
Cost $
On Station excursions (see note below)
Cost $
Current cost estimate (SEND NO MONEY INITIALLY)
Total Cost $
E-mail this form as an attachment to Dr Keith Leggett. (k.leggett@unsw.edu.au).
Registration closes on 9th October 2015.
On Station travel costs – if you are unsure of your needs, payment may be made
at the Meeting but only via cash or cheque. This will also apply to bar costs.